The Washington critic., 1887-11-12
ODD AND ENDS.

ClOuS IN NOT substituting always lOI
"oft." 1t has been found that the
finest bird is not always the one that
means the finest feathers.
Years ago the staid citizens Of WASH
ington were surprised one morning at
the appearance Of a strange figure In
their streets. He was dressed In pair
of old corduroys, ripped at the ankle
for convenience in rolling up. drab |
overcoat, much the worse for wear,
with several capes. worn.out, united
shoes, and shocking hat"
Solemnly he walked the streets, six
feet In height, leading little black,
rough haired mare, her tail matted
with burs. A pair Of small saddle bags
hung over the saddle, in which were
stuffed papers and crackers and cheese.
Stopping at an obscure hotel he put up
his mare and relieved himself Of his
"top coat" Into one of the pockets of
short gray linsey roundabout he
stuffed his lunch, and into the other
bundle of law papers. tied with a
hemp string. 1nquiring the way to the
Supreme Court, he walked forth, the
wonder Of the negroes and Idle boys.
Arrived at the court room, he sauntered
within the bar, took seat, and began
lawyers and spectators smiled at the
awkward countryman on his first visit
to the Capital. Soon a case was called
which seemed to interest the country.
man. 1t involved the title to large
tract of land lying In the "Green River
country" of Kentucky.
A Mr.. Taylor of Virginia, leading
lawyer, began his argument by state.
ment Of facts. All at once the country.
man stopped mupehing, and tapping
the counsel on the back. corrected one
of his "facts." The lawyer paused.
frowned at the busybody. and went on.
The countIyman resumed eating and In
few moments again corrected the
counsel. II beg the Court to protect
me from the impertinence Of that
person." said Taylor, showing much
Irritation. Taylor finished his power.
ful argument, and then, to the amaze
ment of spectators, the bar, and the
judges, the stranger rose to reply. His
manner was wholly changed. He stood
as II he had prsctised In that court all
his professional life. His argument
wasso clear and forclble, and his reply
TO the opposing counsel so mastery,
that the bar and court looked as though
they doubted their ears and eyes. Mr..
Taylor Appeared paralyzed. The per.
spiration rolled from his forehead and
face In great drops. The rustic he had
sneered at. seemed legal giant. Every
one asked, "Who is he 2"
1t was Joe Daviess, one of the best
lawyers and most eloquent orators of
Kentucky, as eccentric as he was gifted.
Scarcely one present knew him person.
ally, but all had heard Of his brilliant
reputation.
Abnshed by q bishop.
A country parson, hearing that his
bishop was about to honor him with
visit, sent for the housemaid, raw
country girl. and carefully instructed
her as to how she should address the
great man. "You must always say
"My lord and Your lordship to the
bishop, Mary. Don't forget" The
poor girls mind was completely upset
by the prospect of the coming visit, but
she promised faithfully to obey her
masters injunction. In due course OF
time Bishop Wilberforce arrived, and
after having been cordially received by
his host, betook himself to the study
to write few letters. At length he
rang the bell and Mary appeared.
"Who takes these letters to the postf"
asked Wilberforce. The poor country
girl was so overcome by the fact Of
her being for the first time In her life
In the presence Of real live bishop
that she faltered and hesitated, and In.
stead Of saying "The boy, my Lord"
stammered out, "The Lord, my boy"
An AudnciOus Captain.
Captain Daily ordered his company
Of cavalry to kick up all the dust they
could at Yellow Tavern, Virginia,
while out skirmishing one day In 1864,
while he dashed into the camp Of o
Confederate regiment and demanded Its
surrender. The audacity Of the plan
nearly secured its success, for the Cap
tain's demand was followed by sur
render Of the colors, but Colonel Hap.
good, the commander, came upon the
ground In time to send him back with
buuet.hole through his body. That
tion to Congress for special act pen.
sion, and Hapsood corroborates 1t.
-.
The Language Of Engine Whistles.
Few people who travel understand
what the frequent blasts of the engine
whistle mean. Ladies', especially, are
frequently frightened by them, whereas
II they had the following memorandum
In their pocket books. they might
easily anticipate the movements of
their train;
One long blast OF the whistle is signal
for approaching stations, railroad crossings
and junctions.
One short blast Of tho whistle Is q signal
TO apply the brakes-stop.
Two long blasts OF the whistle are signal
to throw off the brakes.
Two short blasts Of the whistle are an
answer TO the conductors signal to stop at
the next station.
Three long blasts Of the whistle are u
signal that the train has parted
Three short blasts Of the whistle, when
the train is standing, are signal that the
train will bpek.
train is running are signal to be given by
passenger trains, when displaying signals
for d following train, TO call the attention OF
trains they meet or pass to the Signals.
-Four long blasts Ol the whistle arc sig
nal to cull In the ilagman.
-Four short blasts OF the whistle are the
tDginemans call for signals from switch
men, wstchmen and trainmcn.
Two long, followed by two short, blasts
OF the whistle are a sisnnl for approaching
roHd,crossings at grade.
Five short blasts Of the whistle are sig
nal to the aagman to 20 back aud protect
the rear Of the train.
A succession of short blasts Of the whistle
Is an alarm for pertons or cattle ON The
track, and calls the attention OF rainmen tc
danger ahead.